Beginners guide to biking: costs, CBT, clothing & helmet
I’m by no means a motorcycle guru but I love biking and have had some amazing adventures since starting to ride. I didn’t know any “active” bikers when I got started so pretty much everything I know I’ve learned the hard way. If I can pass on any pearls of wisdom to help or inspire budding bikers then that’s great.
I got my first 125cc bike in autumn 2014 and my full licence the following spring. Since then I’ve built up my experience ranging from weekend trips in hotels, to solo camping the NC500, to a 10 day camping trip to Cornwall with Lesley pillion. Most of my experiences can be read on this blog.
How much does it cost to get into motorbiking?
Right to the nitty gritty – cost. I wanted to get my bike licence for years but the cost put me off. Licence, bike, clothing, helmet & insurance can all add up to £1000’s. As a rough guide, here’s what it costs. I’ve padded out more detail below:
CBT: £150ish.
Helmet: £50 for an entry level one.
Clothing: £150-250+ depending on quality.
125cc bike: £800ish for an older bike to £2,500ish for a new one.
Road tax: £20 per year.
Insurance: £200+ but depends on lots of things.
Security: £50-£100 for a disc lock and chain.
That’s around £1,400 - £3,300 to be out riding on the roads.
If you get your CBT through a dealership they’ll try to persuade you to get everything through them: gear, helmet, bike etc. If money isn’t a problem and you want minimal hassle – that’s the simplest option. If not then don’t feel pressured by them, take your time and shop around.
You can pick up some great 2nd hand deals on Gumtree or eBay. Sometimes people get into biking, ride a few times and decide it’s not for them. You can also chip away at it, get a piece of kit each month. Remember to leave your CBT to the very end as it’s only valid for 2 years.
My partner Lesley (in the photo above) got an £800 bike and spent the same on clothing getting a decent helmet etc. Around £1,600 to get out and have adventures.
What’s a CBT?
No matter if you want to ride a scooter or a big touring bike, it all starts with your CBT (Compulsory Basic Training). As the name suggests, it’s basic motorcycle training that lasts a day or maybe a little longer if you need some extra time. When you have this it allows you to ride a 125cc motorcycle with L plates on. You can have plenty of fun and adventures on a 125 but bear in mind that you can’t go on motorways and you’ll be lucky to go faster than 55mph on most bikes.
A CBT costs around £150 and includes bike hire, helmet and clothing (except boots). They can be cheaper mid-week or in the off-season, so make sure you shop around. I’ve even seen CBT’s on Groupon.
Your CBT is valid for 2 years, after which you’ll need to re-take it (or do your big bike test) and that’s usually a little cheaper.
What motorcycle clothing do I need?
As with everything, you get what you pay for. I bought cheap kit to start with and had to replace it down the line. All I know about is textile clothing. If you want to know about sports bikes and leathers, you’re reading the wrong blog. I started with mainly Buffalo clothing as it had good reviews but was cheap back then. It’s a little more expensive now but still good value for money. There now seems to be cheaper brands with good reviews, so best do some research.
I’d advise having a look at Sportsbikeshop as they have a great selection of gear, plenty of information and helpful reviews. Make sure you shop around though as there are great bargains to be had. As a general rule, if there’s only a few quid in it, I’ll buy from Sportsbikeshop as their customer service, returns policy etc, is fantastic.
At the very minimum you’ll need a jacket, trousers (called jeans in the biking world), gloves, boots and a helmet. If cost is a concern, have a look on Gumtree and eBay for 2nd hand bargains. Some people ride their bike with non-protected gear - normal jeans, boots, thick jacket, etc. I don’t recommend it as you have little or no protection in an accident.
I looked like a black & white Power Ranger in my first bike gear but thankfully I’ve moved on. I’m showing you this picture so you don’t make the same mistake!
What jacket should I wear on a motorbike?
My first jacket was budget and I regretted it after a few trips, as it had no vents and was too short – it was difficult to regulate temperature. I’d advise buying a 3/4 length (or long) jacket as the wind easily gets into the short jackets. After a while I upgraded to an RST Paragon 4 (last seasons version on sale) and I love it – fantastic jacket that I can wear in all but the hottest conditions.
Cheaper jackets usually only have armour in the shoulders and elbows, and the back plate is just foam. I’d advise checking and replacing the foam with armour like Knox Advance X.
What trousers / jeans are best on a bike?
Don’t make the same mistake I did and buy mesh panel summer jeans, then ride round in winter. I had to hug the radiator after a few hours riding. Once I realised the problem I replaced them with proper jeans and never felt so toasty on a bike. These days I have RST Paragon 4 jeans to match my jacket. Again, great trousers apart from the braces, on the longest setting they make the crotch ride up more than is comfortable, and the 4’s don’t have vent zips. The 5’s do, so I’ll upgrade at some point.
All jeans come with knee pads but I’d advise checking for hip pads and getting a set if they’re missing. I use Knox Flexiform. Most jeans have inner side pockets to slot hip armour into. I had a low speed bike accident a few years ago and trust me, spend the money protecting yourself.
What’s the best motorcycle boots?
Don’t do what I did and buy ankle boots. You’ll look silly, and when you bend your knee your trousers will ride up and it’ll get very draughty. I swapped them for Spada boots that were great for a while then one boot started letting in water, so I went with RST Paragon boots that have never let me down.
Motorcycle boots may seem a bit excessive but they’re designed to protect your foot, ankle and shins plus wind gets into any little gap, so calf-length boots are a must.
What motorcycle gloves should I get?
When it comes to gloves, spend as much as you can as cold hands make riding miserable and dangerous. I started with RST Urban Air summer gloves – in autumn & winter, a painful mistake. I then got some cheap winter gloves on eBay that weren’t even close to waterproof and so bulky that I couldn’t feel the bike controls.
I still use my RST Urbans in hot conditions but have RST Paragons for colder weather.
One of the cheapest and best tips I can give is to buy some thin glove liners. On cold days these really make a difference. They don’t have to be “biker” gloves – they’re popular in winter sports. Decathlon does a cheap pair that allows you to use your smartphone / sat-nav.
What motorcycle helmet should I get?
My first helmet was an entry level Shark S7000S. These are no longer made but have been replaced by the Ridill. It was okay on my 125 but the wind noise was deafening when I got a big bike and travelled faster. I tried ear plugs but they’re not for me. Eventually I sold it and upgraded to a Schuberth C3 which is a great helmet and is quiet enough that I don’t need plugs.
You can get helmets for around £45 these days. Whatever you get, make sure it’s CE approved so it’s legal on U.K. & European roads. Some are DOT approved which is an American system and not valid in the U.K.
As cool as open face helmets look, they’re don’t offer face / chin protection and are useless in cold / wet weather. Once you’ve been hit in the face by a wasp at 70mph the novelty wears off! I had one, wore it a few times, and sold it.
My advice is to get a helmet that’s Pinlock ready (you usually need to buy the pinlock separately). It’s basically double glazing for your helmet and stops it fogging up. Believe me, it’s worth the money.
Adequate venting is also something to look out for so you can let in some air on hot days and help clear your visor if needed.
An internal sun visor is also very handy for when you turn a corner and get blinded by the sun. You can just flip a lever on your helmet and you look like Maverick in TopGun!
In summary
Hopefully you find this post helpful, next up is buying a 125cc motorbike, running costs & gaining experience. If you’d like to read more motorcycle adventures from ride the miles follow us on Facebook or Instagram.